China says GlaxoSmithKline bribed officials

China has accused GlaxoSmithKline of orchestrating a campaign of bribery and corruption aimed at artificially raising drug prices in the country.

China's Ministry of Public Security made the allegations in a statement posted online Thursday. The pharmaceutical company, it said, had bribed government officials, medical associations, hospitals and doctors in some of China's biggest cities, including Changsha, Shanghai and Zhengzhou.

GlaxoSmithKline(GSK) said it was aware of the allegations and would cooperate fully with the inquiry.

"Bribery and corruption has no place in our business," a spokesperson said. "We continuously monitor our businesses to ensure they meet our strict compliance procedures -- we have done this in China and found no evidence of bribery or corruption of doctors or government officials."

It's not yet clear whether the GlaxoSmithKline allegations are tied to a probe of price setting practices at 60 pharmaceutical companies announced last week by authorities.

The National Development and Reform Commission said 33 drug companies will be investigated over pricing, while 27 more face inquiries over input costs. GlaxoSmithKline is among the companies targeted, along with Astellas(ALPMF) and Sandoz.

Drugmakers are under pressure to reduce costs in China as the country's population grows older, a trend that is straining the country's medical system and care facilities.